Matar Kheer | Green Peas Kheer

Matar Kheer is a easy and delicious Kheer/ milk based dessert prepared from fresh or frozen green peas. This smooth , creamy and healthy dessert is made with just 4 main ingredients milk ,ghee, sugar and cooked green peas . Later flavoured and garnished with cardamom , nuts and few strands of saffron. It’s a perfect dessert to indulge during weekends and festivals with family and friends.

Matar Kheer can be served either warm or chilled. But I loved the one which was chilled with all favours of cardamom and saffron infused . As summer has started, its vacation for kids and also Holi is around the corner. I though , its best time to make this dessert at home and serve a healthy dessert for all Bacha Parties . All kids loved this beautiful light green coloured dessert and never realised that healthy tiny green edible emeralds were sneaked in the dessert.

Nutrition & Health Benefits: Green Peas are fairly low in calories and contains good amount of antioxidants , vitamins and minerals. They are high in fiber and protein , hence it makes green peas a very filling food. Also it has a low glycemic index ( Low GI ) , a most important factor to control blood glucose levels. Green Peas should always be cooked well to ensure that the anti-nutrients ( Phytic acid and Lectins ) levels are reduced and doesn’t hinders the absorption of nutrients to the body.

Consistency of this dessert is not too runny nor too thick. Variations in cooking time , yields thin or thick kheer/dessert

I used 4.5 Tbsp of Sugar , It was just perfect Not too sweet nor too light. Adjust sugar to suit your taste buds.

Condensing milk gives you a richer taste and mild sweetness too. You can use milk without condensing also , but it may not give you that creamy rich flavour.I insist you to condense the milk.

Step by Step Directions on making of Matar Kheer:

Boil 1 liter of milk in a thick bottom pot. Keep milk in a low flame and keep stirring and scraping the edges with a spoon , once in between.

Condense the milk to about 600 -700 ml , approximately around 3.5 cups and keep it aside.

Whilst , wash 1.5 cups of green peas fresh / frozen and place into a pressure cooker . Add 1/2 cup water and pinch of salt.

Close the pressure cooker lid and pressure cook for 2-3 whistles , allow the pressure to settle down on its own. Alternatively , you can also steam or boil it directly in water . Frozen green peas takes less time to cook when compared to fresh peas. I have used fresh green peas to make this kheer.

Open the pressure cooker lid , allow green peas to cool down. Drain the water and transfer boiled green peas into a blender / mixer jar and blend to smooth puree. Use 2-3 Tbsp of above cooked water to blend to fine puree.

Take a pan , add 3 Tbsp of Ghee/ Clarified butter .

Add green peas puree and mix well with ghee and saute for 3-4 minutes, it starts to thicken.

Now add above prepared condensed milk , part by part and mix green peas puree with milk , such that there are no lumps.

Keep on low flame and stir the kheer once in between , till you see the specks of ghee on top.

Now add in sugar and mix well. Cook for 2-3 minutes and turn off the flame once desired consistency is reached. You can also keep it on stove for long to make it more thick. Mine was of semi thick consistency , not too runny nor too thick.

Turn off the stove and add 1/4 Tsp of cardamom powder and chopped nuts.